How the papal conclave works

Professor Eamon Duffy of Cambridge University explains the process of electing
a new Pope as the papal conclave prepares to meet on Tuesday.

Alastair Good

5:19PM GMT 08 Mar 2013

The Vatican has revealed that 115 cardinals will convene inside the Sistine Chapel in the Vatican on Tuesday to elect a new Pope.

The highly secretive papal conclave will follow centuries old traditions.

Professor Eamon Duffy, an expert on the history of Christianity at Cambridge University, explains how the voting works, where the cardinals stay and how the world will know when a new pope has been elected.

The papal conclave was triggered by the surprise resignation of Pope Benedict XVI, who left his post on February 28.